Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Winston Reid and Arsene Wenger's January Plans

Sam Allardyce has admitted centre-back Winston Reid has "no future" at West Ham but believes any English side who agrees to sign the defender ahead of his contract expiry may break Premier League rules.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool continue to be linked with Reid's services, as reported by Eurosport, with Allardyce saying it is "highly unlikely if it is not already verbally done." If any English club has struck up a deal with Reid—who is only allowed to speak to non-British clubs before his contract ends on June 30, per BBC Sport—they may have done so outside the jurisdiction of the English top flight.

Allardyce suggested this is inevitable and difficult to stop prior to his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Everton, per BBC Sport's report:

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We have had the regulations for a long, long time. If you can prove that clubs have broken the rules, then they are in serious trouble aren't they? But you can't prove it these days. You hear rumours, this, that and the other.

It might have nothing to do with the two clubs directly, it could be between two agents, so how can you relate that to the football clubs? You can't, so it can all get done that way. [...] You have to accept the way it is and contrary to whether it breaks the rules or it doesn't, it happens. It is just one of the ways the football world works.

"

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WhoScored.com and Squawka highlighted exactly why Reid is in demand:

The New Zealander posted another terrific performance during West Ham's trip to Goodison Park Tuesday night. He won all five of his aerial battles, completed three interceptions and made 13 clearances, per WhoScored. He also offered assurance on the ball, completing 84.2 percent of his passes, including both an accurate long ball forward and a cross. At 26, he has steadily improved and has time to get even better.

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Allardyce knows Reid's performances continue to impress, saying, "It doesn't look like he is playing with his mind somewhere else to me," per BBC Sport. Arsenal, and indeed Reid's potential other suitors, have all suffered defensive frailties this season, as highlighted by Squawka:

He is a quality, low-risk signing. Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail believes Reid is available for around £4 million if he's signed in January. This is the kind of fee which satisfies UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, providing the buyer with proven Premier League quality and plenty of funds to continue spending elsewhere. The Hammers will only lose Reid for free in the summer if a bid isn't accepted now.

Wenger looks to be hunting new midfielders with greater emphasis, however. A £1.6 million bid for Legia Warsaw's Krystian Bielik has reportedly been rejected, per David Hytner of The Guardian, perhaps leaving Wenger to look elsewhere. 

Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph believes the Gunners will go "head-to-head" with Tottenham for the signing of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. The Frenchman would certainly bring instant quality to either squad after an impressive couple of years in the Premier League. Sam Wallace of the London Evening Standard suggests £25 million would get the deal done.

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Saint Etienne's versatile Loic Perrin previously revealed he has been "contacted personally" over a move to the Emirates, as reported by Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, but football writer Julien Laurens believes little movement has been made on this front:

B/R UK's James McNicholas and Ryan Bailey recently discussed the likelihood of rumours coming true for the Gunners:

Wenger has plenty to address after a frustrating first half of the season. Many Arsenal fans will be hoping for an additional defender, midfielder and attacking talent, so it's no surprise to see the club linked with a range of players.

Emphasis on trying to sign Bielik, however, may frustrate those who want to see individuals who can instantly improve the team snapped up. Reid's quality is rarely available for so little and could turn out to be an opportunity missed if Arsenal don't grab him while he's hot.